THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3115, 20 June 1917, Page 7

THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT"

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S ELABORATE PANTOMIME "The House that .Tack Built," a pantomime by George Slater and Frank l)ix Cast— Darao Barleycorn Arthur Stigaivl Jnok Bildor Hilda Guivei Madge. Dorothy Firman Prince Begeiit Constance Cnyley Princess Susotta ....Gretchon Yato6 Fairy Industrie Amy Murphy Fairy .Sunbeam -Maggie Dickinson Sammy ....Harry Roxbury Lord of Misrule Frederick Hoarii Farmer Barleycorn. Ernest Langford Policeman William Fullbrook Demon of Despair Charles Albert With its gorgeous spectacle, fts very beautiful aiul meaningful ballete, its dolicate and altogether artistic dresses, and, not by any means the least, its uproarious humour, "The House that Jack Built,/', .presented, by. tho /Williamson Company at the, Grand Opera House last evening, is a very worthy successor to a brilliant succession of achievements in this delightful form of the theatrical entertainment. We are not in a position to say whether the increased cost, of everything ,on earth affected Jack's buiilding venture as it does such enterprises in this country, but wo would say that its (decorative elaboration wojuld, lead to tho conclusion that it must have -inoreased John's overdraft considerably. There are very few minutes between the glittering massed formations, sparkling ballets, and animated marches, sind each ensomblo presents a now diffusion of colour schemes and exquisite sartorial designs that tend to intoxicate tho senses pleasantly. Whilst Mr. Charles Wenman deserves his meed of praiso for efficiency in production, tho efforts of Miss Minnie Everett stands out in bold relief as tho dominating feature of tho pantomime of 1917. Tho company is equal to every demand. Thanlcs .to a good "book," Mr. Arthur Stigant is able to give us the most amusiDg, "dame" for many years, and his resourcofuA fooling , and occcnti'io wardrobe kept tho big i audience in a titter of delight , throughout tho evening. Thoro aro jokes that ho might with advantage havo . forgotten to crack, but these woro few ' and far between in tho garden of gigglo ho created. It will bo difficult to forgot i tho funny "wheeze" that conoems tho building of achickon house, his amusing work in the mock quartet, and bis ' fcorero with tho lady in tho bwwitn. . "the sliding roof to hor mouth. In the comedy department, However, Mr. Stigant has not.got it all to himself. Mr. Ernest Langford, as Farmer Barleycorn, is an eccentric comedian of talent. He is aided by a lath-like appearance, with a pair of hair-pin legs hold in loose control. Ho has a dry wintry humour, touched with melahcholy, that was very effective One could not but admire tho consistency with which be adhered to tho character. Another capablo spmnor of laughter is Mr. Harry Roxbury, ft short, dapper comedian of the conventional pantomime typo; also Mr. William Fullbrook (tho policoman), who cleverly simulates many characters with rare adaptability and resource. Ho wan quite admirable in tho comic duel ficeno as a gentleman of tho crusty irasciblo old school, bent on avenging an .alleged insult to hia honour. The male contingent also includes that.agilo dancer Mr. Charles Albert, who appears as tho Demon of Despair, and Mr. Frederick Hearh, who is quite an intelligible and inleresting Lord of Misrulo. The' Williamson management have never sent a more attractive cluster of girls or a more charming bevy of bright children than those who figure in this pantomime. The principals are all what tho Americans* would call "good lookers." Miss Hilda Guiver, as Jack, is tall, graceful, and active, and is called upon to do more than the average "boy." Her vimful alertness will be longer remembered than her vocal achievements, but Ihe choral and spectacular setting given I her songs could not have been more choice than, they were. This was the case in the very pretty "Tulip Time" song with the ballet fluttering down oven rows of glowing tulips, which burst into an electric-lit bloom in a most enchantin manner. Her "Jingle Johnny" and "Pretty Baby" Wgs were also most charmingly elaborated, tha latter with a chorus of little girls with dolls, which, on being stood upon tho stage, came to life in a most eccentric manner. The mystery of the spectral voice of "Jingle Johnny" will puzzle many clever people. Tho principal girl is Mi6S Gretchen Yates, a trim, < slim, self-possessed blonde, who acts agreeably and sings correspondingly. Tho profligate Prince, whom Jack out-woosfoi? the hand of the fair Princess, is compactly played by Miss Constance Cayley, who outs a haudsomo figure in a. number of smart- dresses. Hor song about the "Anzacs," with its khaki frilling, touched a responsive chord, and her solo, "Somo Night, Some -Waltz," in tho exquisite futurist scene of the second act was a feature. Miss Amy Murphy, who played tho Fairy Queen adorably was easily tho best vocalist of tho company, but,'though well sung, there was notihng distinctive about hor one solo. A scintillating star in this galaxy of fair .women was tho pvemer danseuse. Miss Maggie Dickinson, who surprised the audience not only with her dainty graco and finish as an expert;, toe ond ballot; dancer but by the emotional impressions she was able to convey in the extremely beautiful Ballet of the Seasons, through which she flutters as a Sunbeam, and finally in t.ho deeply graphic Danco of Hie Emotions, with tho skilful dancer as the Spirit of Purity. Tho dancing generally wa3 of a high order of merit, and if only for that feature—and it is a great ono—tho pantomime is well worth while. Nothing could bo sweeter than tho opening of "Tho House That Jack Built." with its two rows nf little girls singing tho old nursery rhyme before an illuminativo blackboard in school. Tho children aro particularly swoet-voiced, and two of them, Elsio Campbell and Boe.v Simpson, contribute the .best vocal item in tho show in "When You Woro n Tulip and T Woro a Rose." They, 100. are all exceptionally clovor dancers. Tho scenery ■of W. R. Coleman is up to his usual hiirh standard. "The Tulip Farm." .tlie warship scene, t.bo poetical "futurist" garden set; and the Palace of Empire woro all fine expositions of tho scene painter's art. "The House That. Jack Built" will bo played this afternoon and evening and throughout the ensuing week. |